Method of and apparatus for disinfecting dead bodies



(No Model.) J. D. 'NIETSGKE.

A METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DISiNFEGTING DEAD BODIES.

No. 251,925. r A Patented Jan. 3,1882.

WITNESSES IN VEN TOR M x5. 131? ATTORNEYS. I

. a UNITED STATES 1 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN D. NIETSOKE, OF SOMERSET, OHIO.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR DISINFECTING DEAD BODIES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 251,925, dated January 3, Application filed September 7, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern: i

Be it known that l, JoHN D. NIETSGKE, of Somerset, in the county of Perry and State of Ohio, have invented a new and Improved-Apparatusfor Disinfecting Dead Bodies,of which the following is afull, clear, and exact specification.

Myinvention consists of a series-of air-tight boxesor receptacles provided with tubes having cocks connected .to a retort and to each other by pipes; and it further consists in forein g the vapor orfumes from one box or receptacle to another by means of a bellows or other air-forcing device, whereby the vapor or fumes can be used over and over again, as hereinafter fully described.

In the treatment of the bodies it is desirable that the gas or vapor used should not escape into the open air, and I propose to use the gas or vapor over and over again, and for these purposes I make use of certain appliances all constituting features of my invention.

In carrying my invention into effect I prefer to use the appliance or de\ice shown in perspective in the accompanying drawing, which forms part of this specification, said appliance consisting of the series of tight boxes or receptacles A A, which are of suitable size to receive one or more bodies, and which are connected together by the pipes at a, which are provided with the stop-cocks b b, for cutting off communication of the receptacles with each other when necessary. The first receptacle of the series is connected with the retort or vapor or gas generator B, which is provided with the cock 0, and which is adapted to be heated for generating the gas by any suitable means.

Upon the lids of the boxes are receptacles,

and leading into the same are the tubes ff,

which are provided for the attachment'of an air-p'iimp or other exhaust, and for the attachment of bellows for the purposes hereinafter described. Each of the tubes f f is provided with the cooks t t, as shown, which, of course, are to be closed while the bodies in the receptacles are being treated. i

In the treatment of the corpses the generator v or retort B is supplied with anysuitable quantity of bicarbonate of potash and hydrochloric acid in the proportions of one partof the former to six parts of the latter. Heat is then applied to the retort to vaporize thedisinfecting chemicals, and the vapors and fumes thus generated pass from the retort into the box or receptacle and envelop the corpseorcorpses placed therein. The corpses should be left in the gas until the bodies become thoroughly saturated with the disinfecting-gas.

The length of time required to accomplish saturation and full disinfection will vary somewhat with the period of time since life has become extinct and with the character of the disease; but a few hours will usually suiiice to disinfect and arrest putrefaction,wherebypostmortem investigation in infectious and other diseases can be harmlessly made.

if the number of corpses for treatment at any one time be sufficient to fill all the boxes or receptacles A in the series, the boxes being thus filled, the cocks a a are then turned so as to admit the gas or fumes from the generator through the whole series of boxes, the flow of the gas being assisted or induced by an airpump or other exhaust applied to the tube a I at the end ofthe series; but if the number of corpses be such that they may all be placed in the first box or receptacle, before the fuming or gassing begins, its communication with lows or similar device applied to the pipe the gas in this first chambtr is to be blown into the next box of the series, Where it is saved for further use by being forced either into other boxes of the series or back again into the first box, as circumstances may require. If this second box should happen to be filled while the bodies in the first box are being treated, its second use is immediate upon entering the second box by acting upon the bodies therein the same as though it were new gas from the generator. In this event when thebodies in the second box are to be removed the gas may be forced in the same manner into the third box in the series, where it will be retained as before, or back again into the first box to act upon other bodies which may have been in the meantime placed therein, as above mentioned, and thus the gas is not wasted and may be used over and over again, the boxes being alternately filled and emptied.

The boxes may be made detachable, so that the corpses may be brought to the house or place of treatment in them from the home or place of death and returned after treatment.

It will he understood that though the apparatus or appliances shown in the drawing and the above-described method of procedure are preferred, the same is not essential to the broad idea of my invention, as the gas treatment may be thoroughlyaccomplished in anyclosed box, chamber, apartment, or receptacle in which the body or bodies may be placed; and I do not confinemyself tothe treatment of corpses alone, but propose to treat bedding, clothing, furniture, and like articles which may be infected of the disease in the same manner, thus obviating the necessity of burning or otherwise destroying such articles, as is now the practice.

Having thus fully described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In the process of disinfecting corpses by means of gas, vapor, or fumes the process of saving the gas, vapor or fume, and using the same over again, consisting in forcing the gas, vapor, or fumes from one box or receptacle to another by means of bellows or other air-forcing device, substantially as described.

2. The apparatus herein shown and described for disinfecting by means of disinfecting vapors, gases, or fumes,'consisting of the series of boxes A, connected by the pipes at, in combination with the generator or retort B, the pipes being provided with the cooks b, and the boxes being provided with the tubes f, having the cocks i, substantially, as and for the purposes set forth.

JOHN DANIEL NIE'ISGKE. Witnesses:

'1. SPENCER STILLMAN, P. H. BINCKLEY. 

